Slug casting machine



May 2.9, 1934. H, A BUR-r v 1,960,660

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 30, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Er NVE/Vm Filed Nov. 50. 1932 5 Sheets-'Sheet 2 N/ENTOR -f/ {2W/ May 29, 1934. H. A. BURT SLUG CASTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 30, 1932 Patented May 29, 1934 UNITD STATES rFlcE SLUG CASTING MACHINE of New Yori;

Application November 30, 1932, Serial No. 645,027

12 Claims.

This invention relates to slug casting machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S. Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No. l6,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print, and then composed in line in a vertically movable assembler. After composition of the line, the assembler is raised and the line transferred therefrom into a vertically movable transporter or so-called first elevator, which thereupon descends to present the line to a mold for the casting of the slug. After the slug casting operation, the transporter rises to its uppermost level and the matrices are transferred to a second elevator for delivery to the distributing mechanism, by which they are separated and returned to the magazine whence they started.

When received by the first elevator, a matrix lline is confined endwise between a sliding resistant member carried by the first elevator, and a pair or" retaining pawls permanently located at the receiving end of the elevator, the said resistant member being adapted to prevent twisting or displacement of the leading matrix in the line, and the pawls being adapted to prevent twisting or displacement of the last or terminal matrix in the line. For regular o1' ordinary classes of work, this particular arrangement is wholly adequate,

I but in other classes of work involving the use of centralizing or quadding devices, the matrix line is shifted endwise in the first elevator away from the retaining pawls preparatory to casting, and hence the last composed matrix of the line will require suplementary support to keep it in place when the elevator rises from the casting to the upper transfer position.

For this reason, it has been proposed to equip the first elevator with a straight horizontally disposed pressure bar mounted resiliently in the front wall thereof and bearing against all of the matrices in the line. It has been found in practice,.however, that due principally to the lack of uniformity in wear of different matrices or to other slight irregularities in their form at the points Where the bar engages them, the bar will occasionally fail to touch those particular matrices most likely to be displaced and thus leave them unsupported. Furthermore, the frictional resistance oered by the bar to matrices supported at the upper casting level in the elevator, when they are pressed down to the normal or lower casting level preparatory to transfer, is likely to cause damage to the delicate V-shaped combination webs in the upper ends of the matrices, it being understood that in all commercial linotype machines matrices which stand at the upper level in the elevator as the latter is stopped in the transfer position will be depressed by a stationary overhead bar arranged in line with (Cl. 19g-32) the combination webs. Ordinarily, matrices supported at the upper level in the elevator are allowed to drop of their own Weight before the elevator completes its upward movement, and the overhead bar is merely intended to insure the dropping of the matrices if one or moreV happen to remain through friction or other causes at the upper level.

The present invention is intended to obviate the above objections and, while a pressure bar is employed, it is arranged and designed so as to act upon only the last composed matrix of a line irrespective of the length or position of the line` in the first elevator. Moreover, according to the invention, the said pressure bar is made retractable, and, automatic means are provided for moving it to a neutral position out of engagement with the matrices just before the elevator attains the upper transfer position, in order to allow matrices standing at the upper level to drop as usual before the line is transferred. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the improved pressure bar is pivoted at one end on a vertical axis and controlled by a vertically movable plunger mounted in the transporter and engaging the other end of the bar.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and obviously many changes and variations may be. made therein and in its mode of operation which will still be comprised within its spirit. It should, therefore, be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment except insofar as such limitations are specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: l

Fig. l is a front elevation of the lower portion of a linotype machine embodying the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section through the first elevator, showing a matrix line centralized between the clamping jaws in the casting position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the first elevator head, showing the improved pressure bar in normal position; i

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the front wall of the first elevator, showing the actuating plunger raised;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of Fig. 4, showing the position; and

Fig. 71s a similar section taken on the line '7-7 of Fig. 4, showing the actuating plunger depressed and the pressure bar retracted.

After a line of matrices X has been composed therein, the assembler A (Fig. 1) is raised to position the line between the depending fingers B1,

taken on the line 6 6 pressure bar in active say B2, of the delivery slide B, which thereupon transfers the line through the intermediate channel C into the vertically movable line transporter or irst elevator D. As the delivery slide banks against the xed stop screw O, which limits the movement of its active stroke, the matrix line will be located in the transporter in the rightmost position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l, where it is restrained against endwise -displacement by a yielding resistant U-shaped member D1 (see Figs. 2 and 3) and a pair of resilient pawls D2, the resistant member being disposed in the path of the leading or first composed matrix of the line, and the pawls being arranged at the receiving end of the transporter and adapted to grip or snap in behind the last composed matrix as the line comes to rest. The transporter then descends to the casting position where the matrix line is positioned between a pair of right and left clamping jaws E, E1, which are aligned with the end walls of the mold slot and give to the line the required endwise support during the casting operation. After the slug is cast, the pressure of the jaws is released and the transporter rises to its uppermost position in registry with the upper transfer channel F, the line resistant member D1 and pawls D2 meanwhile acting to prevent twisting or dislodgment of the matrices at the opposite ends of the line.

The matrices X (see Fig. 6) are each formed as usual with the upper and lower projecting ears m1, m2, respectively, the tooth combination web x3, and the two superposed characters :124, one roman and the other italic. When lines of type to be cast comprise both the roman and italic characters, it is customary to compose the matrices at different levels in the assembler A so as to bring one or the other of the characters :134, :125, into the casting position.

The head of the transporter D comprises front and rear side walls D3, D4, spaced the proper distance apart to accommodate the matrix lines and provided with the upper pair of rails d, which are arranged to support the matrices by their upper projecting ears r1 when they are composed at the lower level. The front side wall D3 is further provided with a single lower retractable rail d1 arranged to support the matrices by their front lower ears :r2 when they are composed at the upper level. This lower rail is withdrawn, however, from beneath the matrices by depending overhead projections O1 of the machine frame, as the transporter approaches the upper transfer position, so that matrices standing at the upper level may drop to the lower level for transfer. Matrices that fail to drop by their own weight are pushed down by a stationary V-shaped bar O2 associated with the projections O1 and arranged directly over the combination webs :1:3 of the matrices.

So far as described, the parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or may be the same as those embodied in the commercial machines and in themselves constitute no part of the present invention.

In producing an ordinary printing slug, the clamping jaws occupy substantially xed positions but in centralizing both jaws are movable toward each other equal distances to shift the matrix line to a central position in front of the mold, and in quadding the right-hand jaw E is movable to shift the matrix line over into contact with the left-hand jaw E1. In both instances, the last composed matrix of the line will occupy a position beyond the restraining influence of the sustaining pawls D2 and hence require other means of support to prevent their displacement during the upward movement of the transporter after casting. The operation of the jaws E, E1, for centralizing or quadding, may be effected in any suitable manner or as disclosed in the pending application to F. C. Frolander, Serial No. 620,325, filed July 1, 1932, wherein one or both of the jaws (as shown in Fig. 1) are capable of being connected at will to a vertically movable actuating rod G through the medium of bell-crank levers G1 and a selector block G2.

The means herein provided for preventing displacement of the matrices supported in the transporter D, when the centralizing and quadding device is used, include a horizontally disposed pressure bar J, which, according to the present invention, is retractable and as best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6 is pivotally mounted at one end on a vertical axis J1 so that it may be swung back and forth into and out of engagement with the matrix line. rihe bar J (see Fig. 4) is arranged in a recess J5 formed in the front wall D3 of the transporter head and is operable by a vertical plunger K also mounted in the wall D1 and which engages a stud J2 projecting forwardly from the bar J near the free end thereof. Specifically, the stud J2 is notched so as to present a shoulder 7' (Fig. 5) and the plunger is cut away to t against the shoulder, the shape of the cut in the plunger being such as to present a beveled surface lc which is disposed directly above the shoulder j so as to cooperate therewith in a manner presently to be described. The forward movement of the bar J to inactive position is opposed by a small compression spring J3 arranged behind the stud J2 and tending to hold the bar J resiliently in its normal matrix engaging position shown in Fig. 4. In this connection, it may be observed (see Figs. 3 and 4) that the free end of the bar J, which terminates at a point adjacent the receiving end of the transporter, carries one 'of the retaining pawls D2 before referred to and which is ordinarily secured directly to the front wall D3. This particular arrangement, however, is merely a manufacturing expedient and has no other significance.

Due to the fact that the casting edges of the matrices are unsupported by the rear wall D2 of the transporter, the bar J (see Fig. 6) is arranged to engage the upper projecting ears :v1 of the matrices, and since the latter may be supported at different levels upon the upper rails d or upon the lower rail d1, the bar is made sufficiently wide to maintain its engagement with the ears m1 in both positions of the matrices. To prevent the possibility of matrices escaping the influence of the bar J under certain conditions previously mentioned, the inner face thereof, as will be noted (see Fig. 3), instead of being parallel with the matrix line, is disposed at an angle thereto and is also slightly concaved, so as to engage only the last composed matrix. As a result, and irrespective of the length of the matrix line or the position into which it may be shifted by the clamping jaws E, E1, the restraining influence of the bar J will be applied to the end matrix and tend to nold it in its proper position until the bar is retracted.

The plunger K for actuating the pressure bar J (see Figs. 5 and 6) is formed at its upper end with an extension K1 by means of which it may be der' is encircled by a compression spring K4 arranged in a counter-bore or recess D5. The spring K4 urges the plunger upwardly and normally holds the collar K3 resiliently engaged with the plug K2, the beveled surface 1c at the lower end of the plunger K at such time being disposed directly above the shoudler-y of the stud J2, as shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, when the plunger is depressed, the stud J2 will be cammed forwardly by the beveled surface lc against the tension of the spring J3 and thus swing the pressure bar to a neutral or inactive position out of contact with the matrix line. Conversely, when the plunger is released, the bevel surface 7c will be raised out of engagement with the stud J2 and by action of the spring K4, allow the spring J3 to return the bar J to its active position shown in Fig. 3.

In carrying out the invention, the depression of the plunger K is effected automatically during the upward movement of the transporter D and preferably just before'it registers with the upper transfer channel E, the extension K1 of plunger at this moment being adapted to abut against a fixed cross bar O3 which constitutes a regular part of the machine frame. A matrix line supported in the transporter will thus be relieved of the pressure of the bar J about the same time as the lower rail d1 is retracted, and matrices supported on this rail will, therefore, be allowed to drop by gravity in the usual way to the lower level for transfer. After the line is transferred and the transporter moves downwardly away from the cross bar O3, the plunger is allowed to rise and the pressure bar J will be restored to its active position to function in the manner before described.

In actual practice, the resistant member D1 is operated automatically so as always to occupy a position to the right of the transporter D at the time the matrix line is received by the latter from the assembler A. Since this automatic operation of the resistant member is old and well known, the devices employed for effecting the operation have not been shown in the drawings. Reference may be had, however, to the Sperry Patent No. 1,124,180, which shows and describes how the resistant member is operated by the upper transfer slide which removes the matrix line from the transporter D for distribution.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a vertically movable transporter constructed so as to support the individual matrices of a composed line at two different casting levels and operable to carry the line downwardly to the casting position and thence upwardly to the transfer position, means including a retractable pressure bar for preventing the twisting or displacement of matrices supported at either or both levels during the vertical movements of the transporter, and means for retracting said bar as the transporter attains the transfer position, for the purpose described.

2. A combination as specified in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the pressure bar is hingedly mounted in the transporter and arranged to engage only the last composed matrix of a line.

3. In or for a slug casting machine, a line transporter equipped with means for restraining the matrices at the opposite ends of a composed line against twisting or displacement irrespective of the endwise position of line, said means comprising a yielding resistant slidably mounted in the transporter and arranged to engage the leading matrix of the line, a pair of resilient pawls or fingers located at the receiving end of the transporter to engage behind the last matrix of the line, and a retractable pressure bar adapted to supplement said pawls by engaging the last matrix of the line in diierent positions of the matrix line in the transporter.

4. A transporter as specified in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the pressure bar therein recited is hingedly mounted on a vertical axis in the transporter and that the inner face thereof is slightly curved so as to engage only the last matrix of a composed line.

5. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a vertically movable line transporter, a retractable matrix engaging pressure bar mounted therein, and means for automatically retracting said bar at the proper time.

6. In or for a slug casting machine, a line transporter equipped with a retractable matrix engaging pressure bar, and with means for moving said bar to active and inactive positions.

7. In or for a slug casting machine, a line transporter equipped with a retractable matrix engaging pressure bar, a spring for holding said bar resiliently in active position, and an actuating member operable to move the bar against the tension of the spring to inactive position.

8. A transporter as specied in claim 7, characterized by the fact that the pressure bar is hingedly mounted at one end on a Vertical axis, and that the actuating member is connected to the opposite end of the said bar.

9. A transporter as specified in claim 7, characterized by the fact that the actuating member is in the form of a spring-actuated plunger having a cam face cooperating With a part of the pressure bar.

10. A transporter as specified in claim 7, characterized by the fact that the actuating member is arranged to be engaged and operated by a fixed part of the machine when the transporter is raised to line transfer position.

11. A transporter as specied in claim 7, characterized by the fact that the actuating member is in theform of aspring-actuated plunger having an upward extension arranged to be engaged and depressed by a xed part of the machine when the transporter is raised to line transfer position.

12. In or for a slug casting machine, a line transporter equipped with means for restraining the matrices at the opposite ends of a composed line against twisting or displacement irrespective of the endwise position of line, said means comtransporter to engage behind the last matrix of the line, and a pressure bar adapted to supplement said pawls by engaging the last matrix of the line in different positions of the matrix line in the transporter.

HAROLD A. BURT. 

